Pathways to GP registration in the UK

To practise as a GP in the UK, you need to be accepted onto the General Medical Council's GP Register. 

You can find information on this page about the different pathways to the GP Register.

A woman with long dark hair and wearing an animal print top smiles while in conversation with a bearded man.

Find your path to general practice

Pathfinder (interactive)

GP training and registration: Who's who

Training to become a GP in the UK

A smiling man wearing a navy suit sits with two colleagues.

The GP training programme

For more on how to apply, how the GP training programme is constructed, and applying for registration at the end of training.

The GP training programme

A woman with dark curly hair smiles as a dark-haired man who is facing away from the camera.

The Trainee Portfolio

Document your learning journey throughout the entire training programme with the easy-to-use FourteenFish platform.

The Trainee Portfolio

A doctor smiling and gesturing while in conversation with another doctor

Combined training

Find out about how previous experience could be accredited towards your GP training programme.

Combined training

Two women looking at a laptop

Workplace based assessment

Become a GP with the RCGP!

Workplace based assessment

A child getting a check-up from a GP

GP curriculum

The knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours required of a GP in managing patients and their problems.

GP curriculum

A laughing younger woman is in the center of a group at a large event.

Support

Membership options and College support while training.

Support

Professional woman in a red blouse sitting at a desk with paperwork in a bright office setting.

Portfolio Pathway - Approved Programme

Information on how to apply for GP Registration if you pass the AKT or SCA exam outside of training.

Portfolio Pathway - Approved Programme

Alternative routes to registering as a GP in the UK

If you have a qualification in general practice or family medicine from outside the UK, or have achieved the knowledge, skills and experience to work unsupervised as a general practitioner in the UK, please browse our resources to the find the best career route for you. 

A smiling woman with dark hair looks at a talking colleague.
An image of a smiling medical practitioner in conversation.

European qualifications in general practice or family medicine

For more information on European qualifications and entry to the GP Register.

European qualifications in general practice

A man with dark, cropped hair looks at a laughing colleague close to the camera.

The Portfolio Pathway (formerly CEGPR route)

More information on Portfolio Pathway application, the GP Register and working as a general practitioner.

The Portfolio Pathway

A patient smiling at their doctor in a consultation room

The Recognised Specialist Qualification (RSQ) Pathway

GP registration information for general practitioners who trained and qualified in Australia, New Zealand or Canada.

The RSQ Pathway

International Medical Graduate (IMG) events

International Medical Graduate (IMG) events

14 October 2026

The RCGP 1-day SCA preparation course

This SCA preparation course is designed to help ST3s who are preparing to sit their SCA examination. The day will involve our lead facilitator showing you how to structure and...

14 October 2026

Driving Licence webinar for IMG GP Registrars 2026

The RCGP Tamar Faculty is partnering with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to bring you a special one-hour webinar. This session is designed specifically for...

20 October 2026

Intercultural Communication Skills for GPS

A multicultural workplace is enriching but it can also bring its own communication challenges. This highly practical and thought-provoking workshop provides the opportunity to...

22 October 2026

The RCGP 1-day SCA preparation course

This SCA preparation course is designed to help ST3s who are preparing to sit their SCA examination. The day will involve our lead facilitator showing you how to structure and...